Aston Villa fans explain the decline in atmosphere at Villa Park and suggest ways to improve it

Aston Villa fans explain the decline in atmosphere at Villa Park and suggest ways to improve it, brought up by Unai Emery and senior figures.

This is something Ollie Watkins also spoke about, saying in his post-match interview after Aston Villa’s win against Nottingham Forest in January: “The atmosphere was quite flat considering we’ve gone second in the league and won 3-1.”

From the fans’ perspective, they say a shift to “tourist-style”, high expectations, pressure to secure Champions League qualification, and rising ticket prices pricing out passionate working-class fans as some factors.

Unai Emery and senior figures have tasked #AVFC to look at ways to improve the atmosphere at Villa Park. Fan groups are engaging, with Villa open to suggestions. So what are the reasons behind the perceived decline in atmosphere?
@TheAthleticFC https://t.co/SC1pRYzB73

— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) February 26, 2026

Now talks are being held with the Fan Advisory Board and supporter liaison officers, as for ways to improve the atmosphere.

Rob Steele, season-ticket holder in The Holte End since 2013, said via The Athletic: “In the last couple of years, it’s really gone downhill.

You’d assume a full Villa Park would generate a better atmosphere, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“The season we got promoted from the Championship was superb. The crowds were lower but you had people there to support Villa no matter what. Now that Villa are in the Premier League, you have some people there to watch Premier League football and not to support Villa.

“The atmosphere can be directly linked to what happens on the pitch. Take Leeds: Villa did not register a shot on target until the 42nd minute. The supporters can give their all, but we need something in return from those on the pitch. Things are difficult with injuries, but we need something to feed off. It’s a two-way street.

“When Villa Park is rocking, it’s incredible. Too often nowadays it’s a mix of expectation to win and the continually rising ticket prices are leading to a tourist-style atmosphere.

“I understand it’s difficult from Villa’s perspective, but they are pricing out the ‘proper’ working-class supporters who were there when the club was at its lowest.

“Kick-off times and how TV fixtures are changing is killing the matchday experience,” says Steele. “As someone who travels over two hours each way for games, some of the fixture times have been an absolute nightmare.”

Stephen Morley, director of the Aston Villa Supporters Trust, said: “When we won the league in 1980-81, I went to every home and away game.

“Having seen us also win the European Cup, I know I’m privileged. But any Villa fan criticising our performances and booing under the best coach we have ever had is ridiculous. Ron Saunders was the best manager, but Emery is taking us to another level.”

Adam Bennett, a season-ticket holder in the Holte End said: “Sometimes, there are a lot of empty seats near me due to the corporate areas, which can diminish the noise.

“Pricing has had a big impact on the atmosphere. Although a singing section with more like-minded and passionate fans to congregate in the Holte and constantly sing is one potential start to improving things.”

Chad Williams, a season-ticket holder in the Trinity Road Stand: “Having sections of supporters could be used as an instrument to get the crowd going.

“More fans will make a big difference. More hospitality areas have ruined the atmosphere as it’s too segregated and takes away the authentic matchday atmosphere.”

Aston Villa fans explain the decline in atmosphere at Villa Park and suggest ways to improve it…

I know just the guy pic.twitter.com/TEBnDQpVnL

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@GabSutton: Maybe don’t price out the people of Aston and Witton, in one of the more economically challenged areas of the country, and instead simply let people support the club they’ve supported all their life without having to remortgage their house.

@wozwebs: Said it before but stop all the ridiculously loud orchestrated atmosphere at the start over the tannoy. Fans used to be singing before the played come out, now you can’t even hear yourself speak. It’s literally noise from the speakers until kick off.

@avfcbreaking: Get rid of the loud music before kick off, it silences the fans!

@RLobes5u: In my opinion it’s the football, whilst it works and we get results it’s just not that exciting. I think back to the days of MON and the counter attacking football with pace just had fans more excited. I’m not saying for a minute that MON was better it’s just an observation

@_stonyd: This is multifaceted imo. Kick off times are part of it, fans being ‘expectant’, tempo we have started games, nervousness in recent months, not sure pricing is as big as people say it is, opposition. All factors I believe. Modern football for you I’m afraid

@utvHarry: Does it really take communication with fan groups to know that charging £50 for Leeds United is ridiculous???

@SweezzyAV: Unpopular opinion but I actually think it’s more a fan issue than a club issue, yes of course ticket prices are raving and that does impact it but VP is still full enough for an atmosphere. Pockets of supporters try to get it going but others don’t join in killing it all together

@theavfcfaithful:
1. Ticket prices
2. Fans in trinity and Doug Ellis treating it like the cinema and leave after 70 mins
3. The football doesn’t help
4. Doesn’t help when senior figures/players moan but there’s no way of fixing.
Genuinely don’t know how you fix it, no matter what you do will it really get Villa park rocking? For Bayern, PSG it will be rocking that’s a guarantee but for games you’re “expected” to win I don’t think it ever will be.

@AVFCchats: There’s quite a few different reasons but the most obvious reason is the ticket prices. Also, it’s a burden of being a good team. We’re expecting to win most games, which means when we play like we have been people are going to be forlorn. It’s a bittersweet problem.

@Villasince82: It’s because they are pricing the proper fan out of the game and replacing them with day trippers who frown at you if you dare to sing. Villa Park isn’t on its own, when I watch other teams on TV the atmosphere seems flat and it seems quiet.

@JJoshoneill: Ticket prices and the tempo of the football. No one wants to pay £70 to watch Mings and Konsa take 5 touches before passing to their full backs against Leeds. The style of play needs more urgency. We need a winger that can get people off their seats.

@Chrsmo: Ticket prices will always play a huge part. I also think nerves are setting in and people are anxious. Not helped by recent results and footballing style. Not that Emery doesn’t justify playing this way, but difficult to get people going while we play at walking pace at times.

@gortavfc:
– £80 tickets v Leeds and in general
– Corporate in Upper Holte/Lower North (most vocal areas)
– Trinity & Witton mostly sat in silence not wanting to join in
Biggest factor
– Slow, walking football. No tempo. Emi stood with the ball for a minute. Nothing to get the crowd going

@The_Tagmeister: Atmosphere matches our tempo, not criticising the way we play but we aren’t like the Germans who bounce about and wave flags without watching the game. English fans react to the flow of the game and our flow is often dismally slow.

@dan_villafan: For me, the crowd react to the football they’ve paid a lot of money to watch. When it’s fast, we’re up and loud – when it’s slow, we’re waiting for the opportunity. We play slow football atm. The tempo dictates the loudness of the crowd.